[RE-wrenches] Unusual Module

[Nathan Jones]

Hilton,
That description sounds like some old modules I used to have. I thought they were from the ARCO project. Same circumstances I think. As I recall the modules were Tri Lams (not sure on the proper name for them) but they were also 3 in series for 12 volt nominal. At least the ones I had were. They were the lowest grade, or most burned up of the scoring system used to resell them. Mud was the term applied to their grade I think. They were STI 120 watt decaled but put out around 75 watts by the time I got them. That was late 90s 
 Sold them with that place so no idea what they are putting out today.
Nathan
------------------------------
On Sat, Mar 24, 2012 1:22 PM CDT Hilton Dier III wrote:

>Kent,
>
>I had modules like those back in the early 1990s, when I first went off grid. They are designed to be wired in sets of three for 12V nominal, 18Voc. If the EVA encapsulant is a bit browned it is probably leftover from the Carrizo project, the largest of its time. The Carrizo project had reflectors to increase output but they cooked the adhesive. The owners eventually lost their beneficial rate and realized they would make more money selling off the modules than selling the electricity. Many homesteaders benefited.
>
>Hilton
>
>The label looks like a shiny piece of foil, but with light angled on it
>just right way the name Solarex is visible as are many words on the
>label template. None of the values are legible. It is a little smaller
>than a MSX-60. It has 40 cells that are wired in four parallel strings
>of ten. Open circuit voltage is about 6 volts. Shorted it put out 4 amps
>in bright but very overcast conditions. I suspect that it would put out
>8 to 10 amps at STC. There are two j-boxes, one on each end, with very
>substantial terminals. It still operates, but obviously it isn't much
>use for charging a battery, even a six volt one. Anyone familiar with a
>low-voltage high-current Solarex module.
>
>
>
>-- Hilton Dier III
>Renewable Energy Design
>Partner, Solar Gain LLC
>renewabledesign.com
>
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